Mary Lee Phelps

Mary Phelps passed away peacefully at home on April 22, 2025. She was born in the Detroit area April 4, 1945 to Eva & Homer Bidwell, growing up on their homestead farm along with her six siblings.

While waitressing at the Little Dutch Bakery, she met and fell in love with a young service man, James Phelps. The two were married on her nineteenth birthday. The couple soon bought their first home in Taylor, Michigan, and in the next six years were blessed with the birth of three girls, and a special neighbor daughter, Mona.

In 1975, the Phelps family moved 200 miles north to their forever log cabin home in Grayling, Michigan. After volunteering for the local school district, Mary was hired as an instructional assistant, and retired after twenty dedicated years of service.

After her beloved husband of 41 years, Jim, passed away in 2005, Mary became a snowbird. She purchased a home in Avon Park, Florida, and enjoyed a busy social life. She made many new friends, but none more special than Ken Gerych. She and Ken were fortunate to share fourteen joyful years together going to bingo nights, playing many games of Mexican Train with their awning party friends, supporting local restaurants with their Grayling Friday Night Dinner Club friends, and 5th wheel camping at summer tractor shows.

Mary recently celebrated her 80th birthday with her closest friends and family. She will be remembered for her beautiful flower gardens, amazing crafts, and talented sewing skills.

Mary will be missed by her daughters: Donna (Dan) Koniecny, Dawn (Matt) Deisig, Deanna (Norman) Barth; Grandchildren: James Kaminski, Megan Kaminski, Jessica (Ray) Brady, Fox (Alex Crane) Deisig, Norman Barth, Robin Deisig, Logan (Hannah Wilder) Barth, Lily Deisig; Great Grandchildren: Lyla, Scarlett, Anthony and D.J.; Brothers: Monty (Janice) Bidwell, James (Margie) Bidwell; Sister, Linda Henry; Sister in Law: Carolyn Parker, many beloved nieces and nephews, and dear friends: Lawrence Stephan, John & Sylvia Millikin, Jim & Cindy Green, and Mona Lickfold.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jim, brothers, Bob and Gerald Bidwell, sister, Virginia Kassab, and dear friend, Linda Stephan.

Visitation will take place Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 12:00 - 3:00 PM at Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home in Grayling, MI followed by funeral service at 3:00 PM officiated by Gina Brunskill, Mary's niece. A luncheon will follow the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Crawford County Commission on Aging or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.